Why do we need a University Center in the Santa Clarita Valley?

There are several reasons why Santa Clarita needs a University Center: providing easy access to higher education; meeting the future needs of business; and supporting multi-levels of learning. There is very little access to upper division and graduate level education in this valley. People needing post-secondary education above the associate-degree level must commute to other institutions, through increasingly heavy traffic. This factor alone discourages many people from pursuing post-secondary degrees and other forms of professional training.

The University Center will help reduce the strain along the Newhall pass and the nearly-gridlocked I-5 and I-405 corridors and will provide easy access for outlying areas. This means less time spent traveling, so working adults will not have to be removed from the workforce or be separated from families for unnecessarily long periods of time, and younger students can earn degrees and save substantial sums of money while living at home.

The University Center will not be just a convenience––it is a necessity if Santa Clarita expects to maintain its current high standard of living and the large pool of educated workers that attract businesses to our area. With today’s rapid advances in technology and sophisticated business practices, continuous training must be provided for companies to remain competitive in their markets. The University Center will provide a means for local businesses and industries to draw upon resources for developing advanced skills for all levels of the Santa Clarita workforce. Businesses will not need to go outside this valley to secure the appropriate education and skills their employees need. A high-quality educational environment with access to advanced technological resources is vital for students who need to stay current in today’s fast-paced industries, or who need entry-level skills. In addition, the presence of a University Center will positively affect decisions by businesses to locate into our community.